Colorado Off-Road Trails

Located in the White River National Forest above the historic Camp Hale and part of Ptarmigan Pass, Resolution Road is an easy trail that provides users with endless amazing views of the Sawatch Mountains and offers access to many other recreational activities. This trail is a short day trip for epic views or a romantic sunset. Combine this trail with McAllister Gulch and Wearyman Road to create an epic day full of views and history.

Paralleling Tincup Pass and providing a quick, difficult shortcut along the western end of the Pass, Old Tincup Jeep Trail is a narrow, rock-crawling alternative to an otherwise simple mountain trail. Bouldery terrain along Old Tincup will entertain the modified vehicle crowd and those looking for a much-needed challenge. Expansive valley views along the trail make for excellent action photo opportunities and give your device a perfect new screensaver. Don't take this trail lightly. It has left many users with damaged and inoperable vehicles.

Winding through the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire scar, Colorado's Northfield Road is a journey through resilience. The fire, one of the most destructive in Colorado's history, scorched over 18,000 acres and took hundreds of homes. Now, a drive along this well-maintained road shows the forest's remarkable comeback, with new growth sprouting among the ghostly reminders of the fire. The trail tells a tale of nature's tenacity and recovery from adversity. A drive down Northfield Road is more than a scenic route. It's a lesson on nature's enduring strength.

Wellington Lake Road is a well-maintained dirt road that connects Wellington Lake, in the south, to the town of Bailey, in the north. Although the trail does not provide the customary expansive views that Colorado trails are known for, this trail has its own beauty as it meanders through the dense pine forest of the Pike National Forest. Although 4WD and airing down are not required for this trail, airing down is recommended due to a section of washboarding near Estabrook Park Historic District. The rest of the trail is well-maintained and wide enough to pass oncoming traffic. There are no obstacles to be concerned with along the trail, but snow may be present during winter months. Although there are signs advising to camp in designated sites only, camping sites are not found. There is paid camping available at Wellington Lake and an abundance of primitive sites on Redskin Road. 

Situated near Monument on Colorado's Front Range, Powerline East Road provides an easily accessible yet captivating off-roading experience. The trail offers an array of appealing camping spots and mild terrain, making it perfect for off-roading novices or those looking for a more laid-back adventure. Yet, the show's star is undoubtedly the commanding view of Pike's Peak, an awe-inspiring backdrop throughout your journey. As the seasons change, so does the trail's canvas, with the fall transforming the surrounding foliage into a vibrant mix of reds and golds, providing an unforgettable contrast against the majestic Pike's Peak. Powerline East Road offers the ideal mix of easy-going exploration, camping delight, and scenic spectacle.

Located a short distance east of Creede, Pool Table Road is a long and extremely rough out-and-back trail that leads to a very remote and unique landscape known as Wheeler Geologic Area. Shaped by volcanic ash deposits that have eroded into striking spires, cliffs, and formations, the area was designated as Colorado's first national monument in 1908. Later stripped of the designation in 1950 due to the difficulty of access, it is no surprise this rugged 4x4 road remains a hidden gem for geology enthusiasts and photographers.

The first ten miles of Pool Table Road follow a fairly smooth, well-maintained road to a large parking area known as Hansen's Mill. Along this section, you will find nearly a half dozen, large campsites, good for multiple vehicles, scattered throughout with expansive views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains. The parking lot at Hansen's Mill offers pit toilets and is an ideal location to air down, as you will definitely need it. The road then crosses through a gate and immediately turns into a true 4x4 trail for the remaining 14-mile trip. Drivers can expect narrow sections, deep ruts, and very rocky terrain, making for slow progression. There are a few climbs and descents over loose and embedded rocks, which are roughly the size of baseballs. You will also have the chance to cross a few small streams before eventually reaching two large mudbogs that will test your traction. Proper self-recovery gear is paramount if traveling alone. Ultimately, Pool Table Road ends about a half mile from the formations, at a large parking area and a couple of camping spots A short hike will take you into the eruption zoom of the La Garita Caldera approximately 25 million years ago, where you can explore the formations and stretch your legs before heading back the way you came.

Experience a captivating blend of history and natural splendor along La Veta Pass in Southern Colorado. This fascinating trail, which once formed the pinnacle of the 'Railroad Above the Clouds,' offers an intriguing journey through the Sangre De Cristo Mountains at elevations surpassing 9,500 feet. The route takes you past Uptop, a historic logging and railroad stop transformed into a monument and lively event venue. Along the way, visible scars from the 2018 Spring Creek Fire—the state's third-largest—add a poignant layer to the landscape. Despite its challenges, the trail serves as a compelling testament to nature's resilience and the enduring impact of history. Don't miss this enriching detour that seamlessly merges Colorado's past and present.

Situated in the Arapaho National Forest and close to Denver, Colorado, the Yankee Hill 4X4 network is filled with many four-wheel drive trails.  Washoe Gulch is one of the many connector trails in the area, with dispersed camping and old mining ruins.  This is an excellent off-road trail for beginners or those who want to escape the city while in the heart of mining country with high deep forests and high-altitude views.

Located deep within the Grand Mesa National Forest, pristine Leon Lake sees very little human traffic. Countless creeks and bubbling springs in the middle of the trail feed the tiered lake system. Combined with Park Creek, FR 262, it creates a challenging and beautiful all-day 4x4 adventure. The trail requires a vehicle with oversized and aggressive mud terrain tires for the countless mud pits and long sections of large boulders covered in mud from springs leaching the ground. Attempts to tame the marshy terrain with cinder block pavers over the years have almost disappeared. The trail is muddy all year and likely impassable in springtime. Completing the entire trail requires high clearance, low-range gearing, and experience in self-recovery. You will get muddy and have pinstripes from the tight brush at a couple of water crossings.

Camping is spectacular and relatively abundant along the lakes and creeks. A highlight campsite is at the two creeks junction, where FR 262 and FR 127 join, just before the bridge.

Teller County Road 202 is surrounded by a quintessential Colorado landscape, where aspen groves dance in the wind and towering pine trees cast their long shadows across the trail. This trail showcases the rugged beauty of Wildcat Canyon before the Hayman Fire of 2002, offering sweeping views of the landscape as it dips in and out of the burn area. The trail is an excellent opportunity for solitude and reflection, as it's less frequented than other roads in the area. It’s not just a drive but an immersion into the wilds of Colorado, a treat for the senses that leaves you with a deep appreciation for the state's grandeur.

Benson Cabin Trail does not necessarily have the same draw as some of the nearby trails, however this trail is often secluded and it is rare to pass any other traffic. At the end of the trail, there are a lot of fallen pine trees that if you get out here and hike through these trees you can be rewarded with some great views of the Sawatch Mountain Range including Mount of the Holy Cross. It is also technical enough and close enough to go quickly and test out some rig flex and still be home in time for an early dinner!

Buffalo Pass is a long route situated near Steamboat Springs. It offers plenty of dispersed camping and sights to see as it travels over its namesake pass. The route is described here as if one were driving from west to east.

The west side is rocky, rutted, and bumpy, requiring high clearance. It is loaded with dispersed camping with the better and more abundant sites being further from Steamboat Springs. At the top of the pass is picturesque Summit Lake and Campground. The campground has picnic tables, fire rings, and a shared vault toilet. If you drive from west to east, pick a dispersed campsite before the campground. The views will be primarily meadow scenes, with classic-looking granite outcroppings, wildflowers, and lush pine.

Once at the top of the pass, the eastern side turns smooth and suitable for any vehicle. It drops into the forest, which is a mix of pine and aspen. Dispersed campsites on the east side of the pass are few and far between.

Tucked into the forested slopes just outside of Monument, Colorado, Winding Stairs Road lives up to its name with a rhythmic series of turns that feel like they’ve been carved right into the hillsides. Just off Rampart Range Road, this trail invites drivers to slow down, listen to the wind through the pines, and enjoy the kind of peace that only comes from being in the forest.

Of course, the real draw here is the camping, and it’s the kind of place where a crackling fire and a good chair can turn a simple overnight into a real recharge. If you're lucky, you'll spot wildlife slipping through the trees or catch a peek of distant ridgelines just beyond the bends while getting to your spot. It’s a perfect trail for anyone looking to trade the noise of the world for the quiet rhythm of the woods, one winding turn at a time.